LOVELY LAUSANNE WHAT TO EXPECT Located on the northern shore of glistening Lake Geneva, Lausanne is Switzerland’s fourth largest city. Home to IOC headquarters it’s known as the Olympic Capital of the world. A city with a charm and character of its own, it was built on three hills earning it the affectionate moniker of the San Francisco of Europe. So, be sure to bag yourself a Lausanne Transport Card when you roll into town as this offers you free travel on the easy-to-navigate Metro system, which will get those less than keen on the climb from top to bottom in no time. FOR CULTURE VULTURES Having arrived via the über efficient Swiss rail network (or should I say “trés efficient,” Lausanne being in the French-speaking region of Switzerland), my first port of call was Platforme 10 located alongside the city’s main station. This new arts quarter, a one-of-a-kind in the country, is home to three internationally renowned museums: Vaud Museum of Fine Arts (MCBA), Vaud Museum of Photography (Photo Elysée) and Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts (mudac). Regularly hosting collaborative exhibitions, the museums had been given over to a celebration of Surrealism at the time of my visit. So, do check out the website before you visit to see what there is to see while you’re in town. As well as a fascinating home of the arts, the area is also a vibrant neighbourhood with an esplanade boasting restaurants, terraces, book and gift shops, and arcades. Stop for a bite to eat at Le Nabi next to MCBA. With a menu that changes with the seasons its chefs serve up a variety of traditional cuisine. TIME TO EXPLORE The Lausanne Transport Card will take you as far as Epesses by train, a few miles east of the city in the Lavaux UNESCO region. I set off to explore Switzerland’s reputable vineyards here and meet highly-regarded local organic winemaker Blaise Duboux (https:// blaiseduboux.ch). A 17th generation father-toson winemaker, Blaise’s family have owned the same five hectares of vines since 1453. Indeed, the history of viticulture in the wider region on the shores of Lake Geneva boasts a rich history dating back to the Roman period. By and large, on the vineyards’ steep slopes here you’ll find the Chasselas grape variety growing in the finest quality soil unlike that found anywhere else on earth. I recommend leaving your Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for your return home and opting for a local Chasselas whenever you dine. Trust me, there’s a very good reason the Swiss primarily drink Swiss wine. It’s well worth spending a full day in Lavaux. I hopped off the train a couple of stops early in Cully to take a stroll through the romantic village. Make a pit stop at the Moratel Baths in Cully, or any one of the breathtaking public beaches you’ll find along the way, to take a bracing dip in the clear waters of the Lake – Switzerland’s most beautiful swimming pool. Then, head up to the vineyards, but do be prepared for a steep climb. When you make it to the top though, the effort will be well worth it when you’re met with a glass of local Chasselas and lunch at Auberge du Vigneron, as I was. FOODIE HEAVEN What better way to get to know any city than by its culinary highlights? Throw in a dash of history for good measure, and you’ve got a city tour I certainly wanted to involved in! I spent a few hours with my guide meandering through the streets of Lausanne, stopping regularly to pick up treats for our picnic basket. If you’re a cheese fanatic like me, you may well hear angels singing when you happen across Macheret Fromage (https://macheretfromage.com)! Picnic basket full, we headed to Montbenon Esplanade, a park overlooking the Lake in the shadow of Palais de Justice de Montbenon, to enjoy the delicacies we’d collected. Happily, my beloved cheese platter collected from Macheret Fromage had survived the heat and every local morsel from sweet treats to wine was a dream. A further culinary highlight for me was La Vaudaire located near International Olympic Committee’s headquarters. From there, make your way down to the Lake where you’ll find the restaurant. For cocktail fans, the Swiss Negroni made from local liquor is a must-try, and the menu is packed with signature dishes featuring the finest local, seasonal produce including super-fresh catch of the day. A MATCH MADE IN SWITZERLAND Whether you’re a culture vulture, explorer or enthusiastic foodie, a dual-city Switzerland honeymoon has so much to offer © Laurent Kaczor CWM deputy managing editor Kelly Andrews took a dual-centre trip to two of Switzerland’s stunning cities, Lausanne and Basel, the perfect match. From arts and culture, a fascinating and varied history, to cheese and chocolate, Kelly discovers what the cities have in store for honeymooners. WHERE TO STAY Hôtel de la Paix (www.hoteldelapaix.net/en) WHERE TO EAT Le Nabi (https://mensa-ethica.ch/le-nabi) Auberge du Vigneron (www.aubergeduvigneron.ch) Sardine (https://sardinelausanne.ch) DON’T MISS Olympic Museum (https://olympics.com/museum) © Mathieu Gafsou www.diapo.ch 84
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